Palais Vivienne - Napoleon Collection

The Palais Vivienne is a private property, so it is not a location that is usually open to the public like a museum or national monument. It can however be privatised for events and before the pandemic I attended a conference by a French historian.

Last week, I signed up for another event because there was an opportunity to get a private visit of the "Cabinet des Curiosités" by the owner Pierre-Jean Chalençon who happens to have - if not the largest - one of the most important private collection of items having belonged to Napoleon or related to that time period.

You name it, he's got it! Paintings by major artists of the time, busts, two of Napoleon's famous "bicorne", personal items from Saint-Helena, the ring Napoleon wore the day of his coronation as well as his sword, his throne that you can see on the coronation painting… The list goes on... The great thing is Pierre-Jean actually wears or uses some of these items! That was such a cool visit! Vive l'Empereur!